Since February is Dental Health Month, I figured I would share some tips for toddler teeth brushing. Check out these four fun ideas to help encourage your stubborn toddler to brush brush brush.

Practice Through Play

Kids learn a lot through play. Playing is a great way to teach children about healthy habits! While playing with your child, play dentist. Use an adorable dentist/doctor kit, or simply use a spare toothbrush to brush your child’s favorite toys’ teeth. This is also a great way to model how to brush teeth.

Add a Fun Song

The Brushy Brush Song by Elmo is one of the only things that worked when my daughter was beginning to brush her teeth! She was VERY against teeth brushing. It was a struggle.

I found this adorable and catchy tooth brushing song on YouTube and it really helped us out! She would actually let us brush her teeth and she would brush her own teeth while listening and dancing to the song.

My son also now enjoys the Brushy Brush Song. There are definitely a lot of other fun teeth brushing songs on YouTube that may work as motivation for your child as well.

Flavored Toothpaste

Try getting a fun flavored toothpaste to encourage your child to brush their teeth. One tip of advice, make sure YOU are the one putting the toothpaste on the brush. We don’t need any toddlers putting a whole tube of toothpaste in their mouth, fluoride free or not!

Special Toothbrush

A plain toothbrush is boring. Try choosing a special toothbrush that has your child’s favorite charter on it or one that is your child’s favorite color. I found this to help a lot with both of my toddlers. If they are an older toddler, you can even try the kids electric toothbrushes! Kids think they are just the coolest!

Did you have a power struggle with your child when you began brushing their teeth? What tips and tricks worked for you?